Education Credits--AOTC and LLC

An education credit helps with the cost of higher education by reducing the amount of tax owed on your tax return. If the credit reduces your tax to less than zero, you may get a refund. There are two education credits available: the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit.

Don’t overlook these important credits.

Who can claim an education credit?

There are additional rules for each credit, but you must meet all three of the following for both:

You (or your spouse) were a non-resident alien for any part of the year and did not choose to be treated as a resident alien for tax purposes (find more information in Publication 519, U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens)

Compare the education credits

The education credits have some similarities but some very important differences. Find out which credit you qualify for, see our handy chart to compare the education credits.

Use our interactive app

What should I do if I receive a letter from the IRS or I’m audited?

Taxpayer rights

You will benefit from knowing your rights as a taxpayer and being familiar with the IRS's obligations to protect them. The goal of the Taxpayer Rights Corner is to inform you of your rights during every step of your interaction with the IRS.

Did you receive a letter?

You may have received the letter because the IRS did not receive a Form 1098-T, Tuition Statement, or the educational institution (college) did not prepare the Form 1098-T accurately. If the Form 1098-T is wrong or you never received it, contact the school to request a copy or corrected copy for that year.